Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards had a piece of good news to share at his daily media briefing on the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic: the money congress approved for additional unemployment benefits has reached the state, and the Louisiana Workforce Commission will begin distribution of the money next week.
"The funding just came in," the governor said. "It is going to be in place through July 31st."
The governor said this will add $600 weekly to people who have had to file for unemployment since the pandemic shut down a huge portion of the economy, and will also cover people who normally are not eligible for unemployment benefits.
"It's not just available for those people who would traditionally qualify for unemployment benefits," Edwards explained. "Typically, 1099 contract workers, self-employed workers, gig workers, they wouldn't qualify. They are going to qualify for the $600 a week through July 31st."
Edwards said the distribution will start Monday.
Click here for more information from the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
